In China, for the World
World Premiere of the First-Ever BMW iX3

On July 14, the BMW Group world premiered the first-ever BMW iX3. As the first model to offer the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology, it will bring BMW fans worldwide a new experience of sheer driving pleasure with zero emission, long e-range and high energy efficiency.

The first-ever BMW iX3 is in every way an identical BMW. BMW Group has determined to offer customers “Power of Choice” in the very beginning of its development, by building BEV, PHEV, petrol and diesel models on one flexible architecture.

In China, the first-ever BMW iX3 has entered MIIT’s national NEV catalogue and is expected to be launched in China by the end of the year. The model will be produced exclusively in Shenyang, China, demonstrating the production excellence of BMW Brilliance and fulfilling BMW’s promise of “in China, for China, and for the world”.

Born premium, BMW i design language

The first-ever BMW iX3’s exterior is imbued with BMW i design language, while blue accents demonstrate its NEV character. Blue painting runs along the inner edges of the kidney surrounds. Within the kidney grille is the partly-closed black panel board for reducing air resistance and for cooling purpose. A blue board stretches through below the side doors, and the two blue rear diffusers are aerodynamic and demonstrate the vehicle’s NEV character.

The aerodynamic wheels fitted to the first-ever BMW iX3 reduce its drag coefficient by around 5% over a comparable conventionally powered vehicle. The innovative new aerodynamic wheels feature V-spoke aluminum base wheels. Meanwhile, inserts with a high-class finish are responsible for achieving the necessary mechanic impact and reducing air turbulence. The wheels weigh around 15% less than its predecessors with aerodynamically-optimized surfaces, which translate to enhanced handling and improved overall efficiency thanks to a lighter unsprung mass.

In China, both iX3 and ICE X3 will be manufactured on one flexible production line with the same technology and the same premium quality. These measures significantly raise the efficiency in developing and manufacturing the first-ever BMW iX3. As a result, customers can enjoy uncompromised driving pleasure in a sustainable way.

Gen5 BMW eDrive sets new benchmark with innovation

With BMW’s rich experience in e-mobility, the fifth generation eDrive system has been comprehensively upgraded over previous generations in terms of high-voltage battery, electric motor, and power electronics, making the first-ever BMW iX3 the premium segment leader with innovations in power density, e-range, lightweight construction, and modular system.

The high-voltage battery system of the first-ever BMW iX3 will be produced by BMW Brilliance’s HVB Center II. It applies the more hi-tech NMC-811 battery cell, of which power density is 20% higher than the ones of current BMW electrically-powered models. The gross energy capacity of the battery pack is around 80kWh, while the net capacity is 74kWh. The energy density of the battery pack is up to 154 Wh/kg, which enables a zero-emission range of up to 500km. In addition, it achieves a perfect balance in terms of performance, energy density, durability, safety and quality reliability throughout the whole life cycle.

The first-ever BMW iX3’s drive unit also implements groundbreaking technologies. The electric motor, power electronics, transmission and inverter are now arranged together in a central housing for the first time, which shows up to 30% increase in power density compared to the one of current BMW battery-electric models. The drive unit combines excited synchronous motor with no fixed permanent magnets. This design allows the rare earths required for magnetic components entirely avoided in the manufacture of the electric motor. And that means the BMW Group is not dependent on their availability. With a maximum power output of 210kW and a peak torque of 400Nm, a single drive unit can promise a 0-100km acceleration speed of 6.8s. In New European Driving Cycle, the power consumption per 100km is only 16.7kWh, which sets a benchmark in its segment. In addition, the drive unit is remarkably combined with the vehicle’s rear axle. The structure is thus more concise and brings a more efficient and direct power output, which offers pure rear-wheel driving experience.

The DC and AC charging management functions have been integrated in the Combined Charging Unit used in the first-ever BMW iX3. Within the permitted output range of China State Grid, the fast DC charging can reach the power up to 100kW– only 45 minutes to charge from 0 to 80%. AC charging is very efficient as well – the maximum charging power can reach up to 11kW, which takes 7.5 hours to charge from 0 to100% -- very convenient for charging at home.

The fifth-generation of BMW eDrive technology is the key to BMW’s futuristic sustainable development. This technology will fit in the coming BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT.

With the first electric model built as early as in 1972, BMW has gained extensive know-how and expertise in this field. In China, the BMW brand now has over 60,000 NEV customers. The world premiere of the first-ever BMW iX3 signifies an accelerated path of electrification for the BMW brand.